Methods for improving respiratory system health and increasing the concentration of hypothiocyanate ion in vertebrate lungs

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices to improve respiratory system health, increase resistance to infection, and increase the hypothiocyanate ion in mammalian lungs. The methods generally comprise: generating a Hydrogen Peroxide Gas that is non-hydrated and free of ozone, and directing the gas comprising primarily Hydrogen Peroxide Gas into an environment and exposing a subject to the environment such that the Hydrogen Peroxide Gas acts to the increase of the hypothiocyanate ion in mammalian lungs.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for treating a respiratory illness in a subject in need thereof comprising:
 providing an enclosed space for treatment comprising a purified hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) that is substantially free of hydration and ozone at a final concentration of at least 0.01 parts per million (ppm); and 
 treating said subject in need by exposing said subject to said environment for at least one period of time to provide a therapeutic amount of PHPG, wherein said treating reduces the severity of a respiratory infection or reduces the duration of a respiratory infection wherein said subject in need thereof is a human and is infected by an influenza virus, a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus, a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, or a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), wherein said subject in need has a respiratory infection. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said reduction of the severity of respiratory infections is a reduction in one or more of nasal congestion, runny nose (rhinorrhea), nasal discharge, nasal breathing, sneezing, sore or scratchy throat, painful swallowing (odynophagia), cough, malaise, or fever. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said treating comprises reducing the duration of said respiratory infection. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said period time is at least 8 hours over a 7 day period. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the total time of exposure is at least 1 hours. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said exposing is repeated 1 or more times daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said environment comprises PHPG at a final concentration of at least 0.1 ppm. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said therapeutic amount is at least 0.1 units of PHPG. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said therapeutic amount is at least 0.5 units of PHPG. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said therapeutic amount is provided at least once per day.